Month: January 2022

Chaffle (Carrot and Egg white Waffle) with Tomato Soup

Chaffle (Carrot and Egg white Waffle) with Tomato Soup

This was my healthy version of grilled cheese and tomato soup.  I used shredded pepper jack because I was craving some flavor, but shredded cheddar would work too.  Ingredients: Per 1 Belgium waffle ½ cup matchstick carrots ½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese ¼ cup 

Lemon Thyme Bars

Lemon Thyme Bars

Germs and winter are wearing my family down, so I thought a bright and light lemon thyme dessert would help perk us up. Ingredients: Bars- 1 cup coconut flour 1 stick unsalted butter (4 ounces) at room temperature 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves ½ teaspoon 

Kale and Turkey Meatballs

Kale and Turkey Meatballs

I was in the mood for spaghetti and meatballs and I wanted to ensure my kids ate vegetables with their dinner.  These kale and turkey meatballs were easy to make and tasted great.  I ate my meatballs with air fried zoodles, marinara sauce, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. 

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground turkey

4 cups kale stems removed (or other green such as Brussel Sprouts greens)

½ cup quick cooking oats

2 cloves garlic

½ onion finely diced

1 large egg

½ cup grated Parmesan

Directions:

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with olive oil spray.
  2. Add oats, garlic, and onion to a food processor. Pulse to chop the onion and mix.
  3. Add the kale in a few batches pulsing to mix in.
  4. Transfer to a large bowl.
  5. Add the egg, parmesan, and turkey and mix together. 
  6. Use a small cookie scooper to form balls.  Set the balls on the baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes.  Then flip the meatballs over and cook 15-20 minutes more until meatballs are cooked through.
  8. Serve with zoodles, spaghetti, or on meatball subs.
  9. Optional: Freeze leftover meatballs.  Then thaw and warm to serve.
Cranberry and Nut Muffins

Cranberry and Nut Muffins

These muffins combine fresh cranberries, dried figs, and roasted hazelnuts and pecans and are naturally sweetened with a date paste.  These are sure to fill you up and brighten up a cold winter morning. Ingredients: 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup almond flour 1 

Tex-Mex Chicken Parm

Tex-Mex Chicken Parm

This is a twist on chicken parm.  I used crushed whole wheat tortilla chips mixed with chili powder to coat the chicken, salsa instead of marinara, and shredded Mexican cheese instead of parmesan cheese.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts cut into 

Egg Foo Young

Egg Foo Young

I was in the mood for Chinese food, but the sodium from take out makes me feel horrible.  This made at home egg foo young was delicious.  Next time I make this I may add some shrimp to the mix, but either way this is a simple and delicious meal.  I ate my egg foo young over a frozen Asian veggie blend and my kids enjoyed theirs over ramen noodles.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro

1 cup bean sprouts

1 cup matchstick carrots

1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

3 scallions diced

1 garlic clove

8 large eggs beaten

Directions:

  1. Add the chicken stock and hoisin sauce to a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
  2. Whisk 1 tablespoon water into the cornstarch in a small bowl to make a slurry.
  3. Add the cornstarch slurry to the mixture.  Return to a simmer and cook for 1 minute. Keep warm.
  4. Beat the eggs in a medium bowl.
  5. Add the carrots, garlic, ginger, scallions, cilantro, soy sauce, and bean sprouts.  Mix together.
  6. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and spray with olive oil spray.
  7. Pour 1 cup of the egg mixture into the pan.  Allow it to cook like a pancake.  Then flip it over and cook the other side. Transfer to a covered dish to keep warm while you make remaining “pancakes”.
  8. I served my egg foo young over an Asian veggie blend and my kids had theirs over ramen noodles. 
  9. Top the egg pancake with sauce and extra scallions if desired.
  10. Enjoy!
Velveeta Crab Dip

Velveeta Crab Dip

We often have crab dip as an appetizer for family celebrations and birthday dinners.  This crab dip is cheesy, gooey, and oh so delicious.  Ingredients: 16 ounces Velveeta cheese cut into ½ inch cubes 1 pound lump crab meat 4 green onions 1 cup chopped 

Creamed Lacinato Kale

Creamed Lacinato Kale

My mother in-law grew lacinato kale this year and graciously sent me home with bags of greens when we visited for Christmas. This dish is lightened up and packed with nutritious kale and spinach. Ingredients: 1 pound lacinato kale (or other kale/green) 2 cups baby 

Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts Greens Pesto

Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts Greens Pesto

If you have a garden don’t throw out the green leaves from your vegetables. You can make a delicious and vitamin filled pesto using greens from Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, and more.

Ingredients:

2-3 cups greens (I used Broccoli and Brussel sprout greens with the stems removed)

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup shredded fresh Parmesan

2 tablespoons fresh basil

3 tablespoons pecans

1 teaspoon lemon zest plus 2 teaspoons lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil (more if you like your pesto on the looser side)

Directions:

  1. Add garlic, basil, pecans, lemon juice and zest, and olive oil to a food processor.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
  3. Cook the greens for 2 minutes until leaves are tender and bright green. Immediately drain and transfer the leaves to the food processor.
  4. Pulse to mix. Add more olive oil or water to thin out if needed.
  5. Add the shredded parmesan cheese and pulse to add in.
  6. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
  7. I use my pesto as a vegetable dip, pizza sauce, and on grilled chicken or other meats.
Tuscan Chicken Skillet

Tuscan Chicken Skillet

This is an easy one skillet meal filled with flavor. This used chicken, bacon, cream, tomatoes, spinach, and seasoning. I used a Tuscan chicken seasoning packet from Pampered Chef on the chicken. If you don’t have that lying around an Italian seasoning blend will work